Lady Reading Leaving British Restaurant

1943
Photographer: David E. Scherman

British Restaurants were communal kitchens created during the Second World War to ensure communities and people who had run out of rationing coupons were still able to eat.
They were set up by the Ministry of Food and run by local committees on a non-profit making basis. Meals were purchased for a set maximum price of 9d (about $2 US or £1 in purchasing power 2008) or less. No-one could be served with a meal of more than one serving of meat, game, poultry, fish, eggs, or cheese.
Originally called 'Community Feeding Centres', the name British Restaurants was preferred by Winston Churchill.
Other restaurants in the UK were not subject to rationing but some restrictions were placed on them, for instance no meal could be more than three courses and the maximum price was five shillings (equivalent to 25 pence today, but $10 or £5 in buying power 2008). (Wiki)

Image: LIFE